The Red Dragon Martial Emperor - Chapter 93

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Red Dragon Warrior Emperor Chapter 93

Chapter 93 — Parting

Crown Prince Palace.
Laughter spilled from Yi So’s quarters. Since he was a man who rarely laughed, the guards stationed outside exchanged puzzled glances at the sound.
“Come to think of it, hasn’t His Highness been laughing rather often lately?”
“That’s true. Ever since the Fourth Prince visited, he’s smiled more than usual. But I don’t think I’ve ever heard him laugh loud enough for us to hear from out here.”
“Whatever the reason, I hope he keeps laughing like this. When His Highness smiles, my spirits lift with it. The whole place feels alive.”
“Now that’s what I call loyalty. Ha ha ha.”
Just then, a commander approached.
He was an aide serving Gwan Ji-baek. One of the guards asked him.
“Has something good happened to His Highness today?”
“Something good, indeed.”
“What is it?”
“I hear the Southern Army has defeated the Zhao Kingdom forces. That news must be what’s put him in such spirits.”
The guards’ eyes widened at the commander’s words.
“Truly? Is that so?”
“It is. I confirmed it through the intelligence chief just moments ago. The battle was smaller in scale than expected, but they achieved a decisive victory. And it was won under the direct command of the Crown Prince himself, no less.”
“Extraordinary!”
“The Crown Prince personally led it?”
“So they say.”
The guards burst into exclamations of admiration.
The commander patted their shoulders reassuringly, then stepped inside.
Gwan Ji-baek was already in Yi So’s quarters.
As the commander entered, Gwan Ji-baek looked up and asked him.
“How did it go?”
“The Northern Army has dispatched twenty thousand elite troops, sire. However, no other unit mobilized to provide support.”
“Have you determined what interference Yi Hwan attempted?”
“Yes. We learned that orders were sent to the Northern Army instructing them not to dispatch support. However, the official seal on the order was not from Yi Hwan, but from the Empress herself.”
The bright atmosphere dimmed somewhat at the commander’s report. Yi So spoke in a heavy tone.
“I anticipated some interference, but I didn’t expect the Empress to move so directly…….”
Gwan Ji-baek took up the thread.
“It seems she regarded the Southern Army as having left her domain and thus openly orchestrated obstruction. In any case, it’s remarkable that the Northern Army still sent twenty thousand elite troops despite this. Truly a decision worthy of General Gwak.”
“He is an upright man who refuses to belong to any faction and walks only the path of a soldier. He is a commander worthy of respect, but to us he is also a double-edged sword. This time he refused the Empress’s orders, but there may come a day when he refuses mine as well.”
“So long as he adheres to principle, he will not be one to turn his blade against us. Do not worry overmuch, sire.”
The public assessment of General Gwak Chung-mu, commander of the Northern Army, emerged plainly through Yi So’s words.
Not an enemy, but not one of his own either. And a man who could become everyone’s enemy at any moment.
That was the accurate measure of Gwak Chung-mu.
“I must summon my youngest brother. Prepare yourself as well.”
“Understood, sire.”
“I should send some of the funds that have come from the King to the Southern Army to comfort the fallen and wounded, and to reinforce our forces.”
“I will inform the Minister of Finance in advance.”
“No, I will see to it myself.”
“You depart at once, sire?”
“Wounds heal best when treated promptly. Let us make haste.”
“Yes, sire.”
Yi So left the Crown Prince Palace and made his way toward a certain corner of the Imperial Palace.
But he had not gone far before he was forced to stop. A group of palace ladies was approaching from ahead.
And behind them, seated in a palanquin of unrivaled splendor, was the Empress, looking directly at him.
Yi So halted and bowed deeply to the Empress. Though considerable distance separated them, he bowed in advance to avoid any exchange of words.
“Hmph!”
The Empress’s scoff carried even to where he stood.
Yi So paid it no mind and continued walking toward his destination. The Empress’s gaze boring into his retreating back was sharp as poison.
“Who does he think he is, appointing commanders of the palace guard at his whim? Does he imagine I’ll tolerate such insolence?”

* * *

Among the Southern Army, buoyed by victory, there were two who sat in sullen silence.
They were Deputy Commander Song Hoe and Song Cheon-mu.
When the Zhao Kingdom forces withdrew abruptly, the Yong-ho Army hadn’t even taken the field.
Song Cheon-mu was no different.
The skills he had honed for this very moment went unused, and it all ended in hollow disappointment.
“Another chance wasted like this. Sigh…….”
Cha Jung-gyeong regarded Song Cheon-mu with a peculiar expression as he exhaled.
“Wasn’t it for the best that we avoided fighting?”
“I wanted to fight. Didn’t I train myself to death for this? But what is this? I didn’t even get to draw my blade once before it all ended.”
Cha Jung-gyeong found himself thinking that Song Cheon-mu seemed like a thoughtless child.
‘War is terrifying. Establishing merit pales in comparison to staying alive — when will this man understand that?’
Cha Jung-gyeong swallowed the words that had risen to his throat and said something else instead.
“Wasn’t the reason you wanted to establish merit to restore your family’s honor? I hear your house has flourished completely thanks to the General-in-Chief. Why not remain safe here and return home? You’ll have plenty to do once you get back.”
“It’s also my own desire. Call it a warrior’s ambition.”
‘A warrior’s ambition, my fool. If you die chasing it, who will remember you? Even a life spent in a dung heap beats the alternative — when will this man learn?’
Just then Song Hoe approached from ahead. His expression alone was enough to reveal what lay beneath.
Cha Jung-gyeong and Song Cheon-mu rose from their seats and bowed to Song Hoe.
“Welcome back, sir.”
“Is he inside?”
“Yes. But what’s the matter?”
“An official letter has come from the Crown Prince Palace. And here you are taking a break from training because the enemy withdrew — what’s the thinking there?”
“Just a brief rest, sir.”
“Well, once you’re rested, get yourselves to the training grounds!”
“We were just about to head there anyway.”
“Off you go then.”
Smack!
Song Hoe cuffed Cha Jung-gyeong sharply on the head for his listless reply and strode inside.
Cha Jung-gyeong rubbed his head, fire flashing in his eyes.
“Ugh, how could he just—”
“Patience.”

* * *

All attention fell silently upon Yi Hwan.
The official letter from the Crown Prince Palace that Song Hoe had delivered lay on the table. Though nothing was said aloud, everyone had a clear sense of what it meant.
Cheol Mu-ok spoke.
“Are you finally heading to the Imperial Capital?”
“It seems I’ll have to.”
Cheol Mu-ok and Ju Tae exchanged glances and smirked. Song Hoe’s face, by contrast, grew steadily darker.
“Deputy Commander.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’m leaving you here to command the Yong-ho Army. I can’t keep having you clean up after me forever. I’ll speak to the Crown Prince Palace about raising your rank — use this chance to show what you can do as a commander.”
“……Sir.”
“Don’t feel slighted. I see you as a vital asset for the future. Taking command of the Yong-ho Army is my strategic investment in that future. I mean this sincerely.”
“……I understand.”
Yi Hwan continued, his gaze fixed on Cha Jung-gyeong.
“Help support the deputy commander. Your experience will surely be invaluable. For that to work properly, you’ll need a rank as well.”
“Take me to the Imperial Palace instead, sir!”
“You too are part of my plan, Jung-gyeong.”
“…….”
Cha Jung-gyeong hung his head low. Song Cheon-mu reached over and patted his shoulder.
Yi Hwan turned to Song Hoe and Cha Jung-gyeong, his tone firm.
“Practice the Martial Arts Manual I gave you until death itself claims you. Master it completely, and you’ll stand among the greatest experts the Southern Army has to offer.”
“……Yes, sir.”
As the time of separation drew near, neither those who would depart nor those who would remain found peace in their hearts.
Song Hoe especially felt the rims of his eyes redden.
Having endured countless indignities at Yi Hwan’s side as his deputy commander and come this far together, his emotions ran deeper than most. Surely Yi Hwan knew this.
Yet there needed to be someone reliable left behind in the Southern Army.
Jeong Cheon and Peng Wu-wei were capable, but they could not stand on equal ground with Song Hoe.
Song Hoe asked a question.
“When will you depart, sir?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
……
“This evening, let’s all share a drink together for once.”
“Very good, sir.”
“Yes!”

* * *

The night the moon rose.
There were those watching over Yi Hwan’s quarters—Papa and three assassins in black robes.
“This man departs for the Imperial Capital tomorrow, you say?”
“Yes. I drew near at evening and heard the soldiers speaking of it clearly.”
Papa’s eyes gleamed with green light.
“Then the task becomes easier.”
“Indeed. If we strike when he leaves the camp, it will be far simpler.”
“Good. We’ll move into the forest and wait until then.”
“Yes, Papa.”
Papa stared at Yi Hwan’s bustling quarters, her lips pressing together tightly.
The hollow expression on Zhao Gwang’s face would not leave her thoughts. And she herself had been suffering from a heart-wrenching ache all this time.
‘I will sever his head and present it to the Crown Prince.’

* * *

Whiiiing!
Whoooosh!
The forest swayed this way and that against the wind. Nam-gung Jang-cheon, standing on a branch, yielded his body to the gale while looking down at Papa’s group.
‘Even I wouldn’t have simply turned back.’
He was certain that Papa and her companions were martial artists from the Zhao Kingdom who had come to target Yi Hwan. Otherwise, there would be no reason to hide and watch his quarters.
Nam-gung Jang-cheon could not tear his gaze from Papa’s silhouette. Though her frame was exceedingly slight, the strange, indescribable feeling she gave off made his skin crawl.
‘Indeed, the realm is vast, and eccentrics are as countless as grains of sand on a beach.’
The first to inspire helplessness in him after setting out on the rivers and lakes with dreams of grand fortune was Yu Ryeong-gok-ju.
And then he had confirmed Yi Hwan’s frightening abilities, and now he found himself tensing again at the sight of this diminutive old woman.
‘Did she return to the Zhao Kingdom?’
Nam-gung Jang-cheon dwelt on regret as he thought of Yu Ryeong-gok-ju. Had fortune smiled, he’d hoped to test himself against her once more in this place, but it had ended without their paths crossing.
Whiiiing!
The wind began to blow stronger.
Nam-gung Jang-cheon’s body swayed greatly in turn. His eyes, wavering as he moved, shifted from Papa toward Yi Hwan’s quarters.
‘A supreme general from Yen whose true strength remains concealed. Merely having grasped this man’s reality means this journey is far from wasted.’
It was time to return home.
Though he had gathered much information, his failure to properly discern Yu Ryeong-gok-ju remained a source of lingering disappointment.
Then it happened.
Flap!
An owl descended onto the tree directly beside him. But upon spotting Nam-gung Jang-cheon, it took flight once more into the darkness.
‘I was standing in its nest.’
Only then realizing there was a nest just beside him, Nam-gung Jang-cheon smiled wryly.
‘Time to go.’

* * *

The next morning.
Yi Hwan departed from the Southern Army escorted by all. The generals, led by Peng Wu-wei, followed him beyond the camp, their reluctance to part evident.
The commander who had led ten thousand picked troops from the Northern Army was struck once again with amazement.
‘All of them grieve in earnest. Has his presence here been so commanding?’
What astonished him most, however, was the tears from Peng Wu-wei.
Sob!
Watching Peng Wu-wei weep openly like a child, paying no mind to his authority as the commander of the legion, he found himself wondering what this could mean.
The commander asked himself:
‘When our General-in-Chief departs, could I truly grieve as he does?’
Thump!
The soldiers’ salute thundered through the hills and valleys, shaking mountains and trees. The general found his hand rising to his chest unbidden, his head bowing low.
“Loyalty!”

* * *

Mun Chi-yong, released from his cell, prostrated himself before Yi Tae-ji.
Yi Tae-ji turned a fruit knife slowly in his palm, letting silence stretch between them.
For Mun Chi-yong, the silence felt longer than eons.
Thunk!
Bump-bump-bump……
The fruit tumbled from Yi Tae-ji’s fingers, rolling across the floor until it stopped inches from Mun Chi-yong’s face.
“Look up.”
Mun Chi-yong finally raised his head.
“I’m thinking of giving you one last chance.”
“Whatever you command, I will carry out with my life if necessary!”
“There’s no need to stake your life. It’s not quite that dangerous.”
“……!”
Yi Tae-ji rose and opened the window. With his hands clasped behind his back, he gazed toward the sky and continued.
“He’s left the Southern Army and is heading for the Imperial Capital. You understand well enough—I despise the thought of him conspiring with the Crown Prince.”
“Let me send soldiers. I’ll ensure that the General-in-Chief cannot set foot near the Imperial Capital.”
“Remember well—this is truly your last chance. Succeed, and your former station will be restored. Fail, and I will bury you in darkness forever.”
Thud!
“Trust me, Your Highness!”
“Go. Now.”
As Mun Chi-yong hurried out, Yi Tae-ji clasped his hands behind his back once more, his gaze turning toward the Crown Prince Palace.
“Control the Southern Army, then the Imperial Guard? Your excessive greed will be his undoing, brother. How amusing.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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